AJ and Co Lawyers Appoints Manahi Moana as Senior Associate in the Land Use & Management team

AJ & Co Lawyers is pleased to welcome Manahi Moana as Senior Associate, strengthening the firm’s Land Use & Management practice and its capability across planning, infrastructure, property and major projects.

Originally from New Zealand, Manahi brings extensive experience advising government, infrastructure and private sector clients on complex planning, property, development and regulatory matters.

His practice encompasses environmental and planning approvals, land acquisition and Public Works Act transactions, Māori law and Indigenous rights, including Māori land matters, Treaty partnerships, co-governance, cultural impact, mitigation and project-related agreements. He has worked across Crown, iwi and corporate environments and advised on significant projects including RiverLink, the Manawatū-Tararua Highway, Mt Messenger and Ngā Ūranga ki Pito-One.

This experience brings a valuable perspective to the Australian market, particularly as major infrastructure programs, renewable energy development, land acquisition, planning approvals and complex stakeholder environments continue to grow in scale and complexity. Manahi’s experience working at the intersection of government, industry and Indigenous interests is particularly relevant to clients navigating these challenges.

Manahi brings a practical, commercially focused approach to complex matters. He is known for identifying legal, financial and reputational risk early and translating complex, multi-party issues into clear, practical advice tailored to the needs of each client and matter.

“What I enjoy most about this work is that it’s rarely just legal - it’s getting government, industry and community actually talking to each other and finding a way forward. That’s the kind of practical, relationship-led advice AJ & Co is known for, and it’s why I’m glad to be joining the team.”

Manahi’s appointment reflects AJ & Co Lawyers’ continued investment in experienced, commercially focused lawyers and further strengthens the firm’s national capability across land use, infrastructure, planning and major projects.